Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/286

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276
Reminiscences of James Jory.

able than the single canvas painted, of which some covers were made. The provisions consisted of seven sacks of flour, and an abundance of bacon, which was made from a phenomenally fat corn-fed porker; also dried pease, beans and fruit; gunpowder and garden seeds were prudently added. Much valuable information in regard to Oregon was obtained from letters of Rev. E. E. Parrish, who came to Oregon in 1844, and writing East gave very favorable descriptions of the mild and healthful climate and the advantages of stock raising, where cattle might browse or pasture twelve months of the year.

At Independence Mr. Jory did not find his father, or brothers as anticipated, but with his younger brother, who was with him from the first, drove on to the Kaw River. At this point about eighty or one hundred wagons had collected and were waiting to form a regular organization. It was soon learned that these were too many for one company, and two were therefore formed. Of the part to which Mr. Jory belonged Joseph Magone was elected captain. Magone was from New York, an unmarried man, young, handsome, and deservedly popular. He had hired his passage with the train, and was out for an adventure, but when it was represented that he was the best man for captain, being free-handed and wellinformed, he set aside personal considerations and accepted. He proved to be one of the best emigrant captains ever on the Plains, alert, cheerful, watchful of the needs of every one, and promising all that he would see the last one through safely to the banks of the Willamette, and he most bravely redeemed his promise. Indeed, nothing now seems to Mr. and Mrs. Jory more noteworthy of that whole trip across the continent than the value and delight of association and practical brotherhood. Except